Diet Helium SL LTD

22/02/2013

A couple of months after we launched the Ridley Helium SL LTD, we have given the bike a new challenge. We are curious to find out how much lighter we can get it than its current 5,74kg. There is one restriction: it has to be done by using WorldTour approved components. After all, we don’t want to compromise on stiffness, strength, and comfort.

This challenge can win you a pair of Ridley cycling shorts and shirt. All you have to do, is guess the final weight on February 27, 2013. To help you out, we will daily post on this website, our Facebook page and on Twitter (@ridley_bikes, or via #ridleydiet #bikediet) about the changes we make.

Today we went for a full ceramic tuning: bottom bracket, hub bearings of the wheel set, and the chainrings in the rear derailleur. This mainly diminishes the rolling resistance and should save us some weight at the same time.

Day 2

We changed the saddle to a San Marco Aspide Carbon FX. There are lighter saddles available on the market, but once again we opted for components that are WorldTour approved and actually used by Lotto-Belisol riders. The saddle is more than just a carbon shell. Thanks to the padding it provides the comfort needed during long rides. After all, we want the lighter version of the Helium SL Limited to remain at its high standard of comfort for its rider.

Day 3

There is little difference between our new 4ZA cirrus pro stem and the one originally mounted on the Helium SL Limited, but thanks to titanium bolts, this one weighs …

Day 4

You have to appreciate small changes. We changed the seatpost clamp to a 10.5 grams version from 4ZA.

Day 5

We changed the paddles from Look Keo Blade Carbon to the Look Keo Blade Carbon TITANIUM versionOnce again these is not the lightest paddles in the market, but one being used in the WorldTour peloton by Lotto-Belisol. We prefer the best possible material at a reasonable rate to the lightest which might not survive the test of true racing.

Day 6

One day before the finish off this experiment, we were once again helped by our friends at 4ZA who provided us with this full carbon seatpost.

Day 7

The main course on the final day of the diet we have put our Helium SL Limited on: a nokon cable kit.